Memory sticks: Does it matter when I study?

Yes. One of the easiest ways to increase how much you remember without any additional effort is to carefully time when you study. Numerous experiments have found that sleep shortly after learning new facts or skills helps the brain reinforce its memory traces – whether that sleep is a good night’s heavy slumber or just a well-timed afternoon nap.

You might also want to consider the timing between different study sessions. It is well known that we learn much better if we revisit material after an interval rather than hammering it home during a single session. Surprisingly, the length of this interval determines how much you remember – to the extent that it could easily bump you up a grade or two. Hal Pashler at the University of California, San Diego, has noticed a peculiar “sweet spot” in revision times. According to his studies, you should revisit your subject at ...

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